Motion detection for A/V recording and communication devices

ABSTRACT

Audio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices according to the present embodiments comprise a processor, a motion sensor, and a camera. In various embodiments, the A/V recording and communication devices are configured to reduce latency and/or to reduce false positive indications of motion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.62/289,072, filed on Jan. 29, 2016, and provisional application Ser. No.62/263,334, filed on Dec. 4, 2015. The entire contents of the priorityapplications are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiments relate to motion detection in audio/video (A/V)recording and communication devices, including A/V recording andcommunication doorbells. In particular, the present embodiments relateto improvements in the functionality of A/V recording and communicationdevices that strengthen the ability of such devices to reduce crime andenhance public safety.

BACKGROUND

Home safety is a concern for many homeowners and renters. Those seekingto protect or monitor their homes often wish to have video and audiocommunications with visitors, for example, those visiting an externaldoor or entryway. Audio/Video (A/V) recording and communication devices)such as doorbells, provide this functionality, and can also aid in crimedetection and prevention. For example, audio and/or video captured by anA/V recording and communication device can be uploaded to the cloud andrecorded on a remote server. Subsequent review of the A/V footage canaid law enforcement in capturing perpetrators of home burglaries andother crimes. Further, the presence of one or more A/V recording andcommunication devices on the exterior of a home, such as a doorbell unitat the entrance to the home, acts as a powerful deterrent againstwould-be burglars.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the present apparatus, systems, and methodsfor motion detection for audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevices have several features, no single one of which is solelyresponsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scopeof the present embodiments as expressed by the claims that follow, theirmore prominent features now will be discussed briefly. After consideringthis discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled“Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of thepresent embodiments provide the advantages described herein.

In a first aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes a processor, a motion sensor, and acamera, the method comprising the motion sensor gathering informationfrom within a field of view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice and generating an output signal; the processor transitioning, ata beginning of a sampling interval, from a low-power state to an activestate and sampling the output signal from the motion sensor; theprocessor analyzing the sampled output signal to determine whethermotion is indicated within the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device; if no motion is indicated within the field of viewof the A/V recording and communication device, then the processorreverting to the low-power state; and if motion is indicated within thefield of view of the A/V recording and communication device, then atleast one other component of the A/V recording and communication devicepowering up.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the if the processor reverts tothe low-power state, then the processor waits until a next samplinginterval and again transitions from the low-power state to the activestate, at a beginning of the next sampling interval, and again samplesthe output signal from the motion sensor. Also in an embodiment of thefirst aspect, the at least one other component of the A/V recording andcommunication device comprises at least one of a Wi-Fi chip, a cameraprocessor, and an image sensor.

In a second aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes a processor, a motion sensor, and acamera, the method comprising the motion sensor gathering informationfrom within a field of view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice and generating an output signal; the processor continuallysampling the output signal from the motion sensor at regular samplingintervals; the processor analyzing the sampled output signal todetermine whether motion is indicated within the field of view of theA/V recording and communication device; and if motion is indicatedwithin the field of view of the motion sensor, then at least one othercomponent of the A/V recording and communication device powering up.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the processor is in a low-powerstate between the sampling intervals. Also in an embodiment of thesecond aspect, the sampling intervals occur every 15.625 ms. Also in anembodiment of the second aspect, the at least one other component of theA/V recording and communication device comprises at least one of a Wi-Fichip, a camera processor, and an image sensor.

In a third aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice is provided, the A/V recording communication device comprising aprocessor; a motion sensor; and a camera; wherein the motion sensor isconfigured to gather information from within a field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device and to generate an output signalbased on the gathered information; wherein the processor is configuredto transition, at a beginning, of a sampling interval, from a low-powerstate to an active state, and to sample the output signal from themotion sensor; and wherein the processor is further configured toanalyze the sampled output signal to determine whether motion isindicated within the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device, and if no motion is indicated within the field ofview of the A/V recording and communication device, then the processoris configured to revert to the low-power state, and if motion isindicated within the field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device, then at least one other component of the A/Vrecording and communication device is configured to power up.

In a fourth aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice is provided, the A/V recording and communication devicecomprising a processor; a motion sensor; and a camera; wherein themotion sensor is configured to gather information from within a field ofview of the A/V recording and communication device and to generate anoutput signal based on the gathered information; wherein the processoris configured to continually sample the output signal from the motionsensor at regular sampling intervals; and wherein the processor isfurther configured to analyze the sampled output signal to determinewhether motion is indicated within the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device, and if motion is indicated withinthe field of view of the motion sensor, then at least one othercomponent of the A/V recording and communication device is configured topower up.

In a fifth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes at least a first and a second motionsensor, the method comprising the first motion sensor detecting a movingobject within a field of view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice and generating a first output signal; the second motion sensordetecting the moving object within the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device and generating a second outputsignal; calculating a time coordinate for a maximum of the first outputsignal; calculating a time coordinate for a maximum of the second outputsignal; calculating a spacing between the maximum of the first outputsignal and the maximum of the second output signal; comparing thespacing between the maximum of the first output signal and the maximumof the second output signal to a threshold value; and if the spacing isless than the threshold value, then determining that the moving objectwithin the field of view of the A/V recording and communication deviceis likely to be a motor vehicle.

In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device further includes a processor, and wherein thecalculating steps and the comparing step are performed by the processor.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the first motion sensorcomprises at least a first passive infrared (PIR) sensor and the secondmotion sensor comprises at least a second PIR sensor.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the first motion sensorcomprises a first field of view and the second motion sensor comprises asecond field of view.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the first field of viewincludes a first portion that does not overlap with the second field ofview.

In another embodiment of the fifth aspect, the second field of viewincludes a second portion that does not overlap with the first field ofview.

In a sixth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes at least a first and a second motionsensor, the method comprising the first motion sensor detecting a movingobject within a field of view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice and generating a first output signal; the second motion sensordetecting the moving object within the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device and generating a second outputsignal; calculating a time coordinate for a maximum of the first outputsignal; calculating a time coordinate for a maximum of the second outputsignal; calculating a spacing between the maximum of the first outputsignal and the maximum of the second output signal; comparing thespacing between the maximum of the first output signal and the maximumof the second output signal to a threshold value; calculating a timecoordinate for a minimum of the first output signal; calculating a timecoordinate for a minimum of the second output signal; calculating aspacing between the minimum of the first output signal and, the minimumof the second output signal; comparing the spacing between the minimumof the first output signal and the minimum of the second output signalto the threshold value; and if either the spacing between the maximum ofthe first output signal and the maximum of the second output signal orthe spacing between the minimum of the first output signal and theminimum of the second output signal is less than the threshold value,then determining that the moving object within the field of vies of theA/V recording and communication device is likely to be a motor vehicle.

In a seventh aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice is provided, the A/V recording, and communication devicecomprising a processor; at least a first motion sensor; and at least asecond motion sensor; wherein the first motion sensor is configured todetect a moving object within a field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device and to generate a first output signal; wherein thesecond motion sensor is configured to detect the moving object withinthe field of view of the A/V recording and communication device and togenerate a second output signal; wherein the processor is configured tocalculate a time coordinate for a maximum of the first output signal;wherein the processor is further configured to calculate a timecoordinate for a maximum of the second output signal; wherein theprocessor is further configured to calculate a spacing between themaximum of the first output signal and the maximum of the second outputsignal; and wherein the processor is further configured to compare thespacing between the maximum of the first output signal and the maximumof the second output signal to a threshold value, and if the spacing isless than the threshold value, then the processor is further configuredto determine that the moving object within the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device is likely to be a motor vehicle.

In an embodiment of the seventh aspect, the first motion sensorcomprises at least a first passive infrared (PIR) sensor and the secondmotion sensor comprises at least a second PIR sensor.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the first motion sensorcomprises a first field of view and the second motion sensor comprises asecond field of view.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the first field of viewincludes a first portion that does not overlap with the second field ofview.

In another embodiment of the seventh aspect, the second field of viewincludes a second portion that does not overlap with the first field ofview.

In an eighth aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice is provided, the A/V recording and communication device,comprising a processor; at least a first motion sensor; and at least asecond motion sensor; wherein the first motion sensor is configured todetect a moving object within a field of view of the A/V recording andcommunication device to generate a first output signal; wherein thesecond motion sensor is configured to detect the moving object withinthe field of view of the A/V recording and communication device and togenerate a second output signal; wherein the processor is configured tocalculate a time coordinate for a maximum of the first output signal;wherein the processor is further configured to calculate a timecoordinate for a maximum of the second output signal; wherein theprocessor is further configured to calculate a spacing between themaximum of the first output signal and the maximum of the second outputsignal; wherein the processor is further configured to compare thespacing between the maximum of the first output signal and the maximumof the second output signal to a threshold value; wherein the processoris further configured to calculate a time coordinate for a minimum ofthe first output signal; wherein the processor is further configured tocalculate a time coordinate for a minimum of the second output signal;wherein the processor is further configured to calculate a spacingbetween the minimum of the first output signal and the minimum of thesecond output signal; wherein the processor is further configured tocompare the spacing, between the minimum of the first output signal andthe minimum of the second output signal to a threshold value; and ifeither the spacing between the maximum of the first output signal andthe maximum of the second output signal or the spacing between theminimum of the first output signal and the minimum of the second outputsignal is less than the threshold value, then the processor is furtherconfigured to determine that the moving object within the field of viewof the A/V recording and communication device is likely to be a motorvehicle.

In an embodiment of the eighth aspect, the first motion sensor comprisesat least a first passive infrared (PIR) sensor and the second motionsensor comprises at least a second PIR sensor.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the first motion sensorcomprises a first field of view and the second motion sensor comprises asecond field of view.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the first field of viewincludes a first portion that does not overlap with the second field ofview.

In another embodiment of the eighth aspect, the second field of viewincludes a second portion that does not overlap with the first field ofview.

In a ninth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes a processor and a motion sensor, themethod comprising the motion sensor gathering information within a fieldof view of the A/V recording and communication device and generating enoutput signal; the processor sampling the output signal from the motionsensor during a first sampling interval; calculating a magnitude of theoutput signal during the first sampling interval; the processor samplingthe output signal from the motion sensor during a second samplinginterval; calculating a magnitude of the output signal during the secondsampling interval; calculating a difference between the magnitude of theoutput signal daring the first sampling interval and the magnitude ofthe output signal during the second sampling interval; comparing thedifference between the magnitude of the output signal during the firstsampling interval and the magnitude of the output signal during thesecond sampling interval to a threshold value; and if the differencebetween the magnitude of the output signal during the first samplinginterval and the magnitude of the output signal during the secondsampling interval is greater than the threshold value, then determiningthat the motion sensor is likely exposed to intermittent directsunlight.

In an embodiment of the ninth aspect, the calculating steps and thecomparing step are performed by the processor.

In another embodiment of the ninth aspect, the motion sensor comprisesat least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the ninth aspect, calculating the differencebetween the magnitude of the output signal during the first samplinginterval and the magnitude of the output signal during the secondsampling interval determines a rate of change of the output signal fromthe motion sensor.

In another embodiment of the ninth aspect, the threshold value comprisesa threshold rate of change.

Another embodiment of the ninth aspect further comprises determining apeak magnitude of the output signal and comparing the determined peakmagnitude to a threshold peak magnitude.

In a tenth aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice is provided, the A/V recording and communication devicecomprising, a processor; and a motion sensor; wherein the motion sensoris configured, to gather information from within a field of view of theA/V recording and communication device and to generate an output signalbased on the gathered information, wherein the processor is configuredto sample the output signal from the motion sensor during a firstsampling interval; wherein the processor is further configured tocalculate a magnitude of the output signal during the first samplinginterval; wherein the processor is further configured to sample theoutput signal from the motion sensor during a second sampling interval;wherein the processor is further configured to calculate a magnitude ofthe output signal during the second sampling interval; wherein theprocessor is further configured to calculate a difference between themagnitude of the output signal during the first sampling interval andthe magnitude of the output signal during the second sampling interval;and wherein the processor is further configured to compare thedifference between the magnitude of the output signal during the firstsampling interval and the magnitude of the output signal during thesecond sampling interval to a threshold value, and, if the differencebetween the magnitude of the output signal during the first samplinginterval and the magnitude of the output signal during the secondsampling interval is greater than the threshold value, then theprocessor is further configured to determine that the motion sensor islikely exposed to intermittent direct sunlight.

In an embodiment of the tenth aspect, the motion sensor comprises atleast one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the tenth aspect, calculating the differencebetween the magnitude of the output signal during the first samplinginterval and the magnitude of the output signal during the secondsampling interval determines a rate of change of the output signal fromthe motion sensor.

In another embodiment of the tenth aspect, the threshold value comprisesa threshold rate of change.

In another embodiment of the tenth aspect, the processor is furtherconfigured to determine a peak magnitude of the output signal and tocompare the determined peak magnitude to a threshold peak magnitude.

In an eleventh aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes a processor and a motion sensor, themethod comprising the motion sensor gathering information within a fieldof view of the A/V recording and communication device and generating anoutput signal; determining a peak magnitude of the output signal;comparing the peak magnitude of the output signal to a threshold value;and if the peak magnitude of the output signal is greater than thethreshold value, then determining that the motion sensor is likelyexposed to intermittent direct sunlight.

In an embodiment of the eleventh aspect, the determining step and thecomparing step are performed by the processor.

In a twelfth aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice is provided, the A/V recording and communication devicecomprising a processor; and a motion sensor; wherein the motion sensoris configured to gather information within a field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device and to generate an output signalbased on the gathered information; wherein the processor is configuredto determine a peak magnitude of the output signal; and wherein theprocessor is further configured to compare the peak magnitude of theoutput signal to a threshold value, and if the peak magnitude of theoutput signal is greater than the threshold value, then the processor isfurther configured to determine that the motion sensor is likely exposedto intermittent direct sunlight.

In an embodiment of the twelfth aspect, the motion sensor comprises atleast one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the twelfth aspect, determining the peakmagnitude of the output signal comprises the processor sampling theoutput signal of the motion sensor over multiple sampling intervals.

In another embodiment of the twelfth aspect, the processor is furtherconfigured to determine a rate of change of the output signal from themotion sensor and to compare the determined rate of change to athreshold rate of change.

In a thirteenth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes a processor, a motion sensor, and atemperature sensor, the method comprising the temperature sensormeasuring a change in temperature during an interval; calculating a rateof change in the temperature during the interval; comparing the rate ofchange in the temperature during the interval to a threshold value; andif the rate of change in the temperature during the interval is greaterthan the threshold value, then ignoring any signals from the motionsensor that were generated during the interval.

In an embodiment of the thirteenth aspect, the calculating step and thecomparing step are performed by the processor.

In another embodiment of the thirteenth aspect, the motion sensorcomprises at least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the thirteenth aspect, the A/V recording andcommunication device comprises a doorbell.

In another embodiment of the thirteenth aspect, the change intemperature measured by the temperature sensor comprises a change intemperature of a battery of the A/V recording and communication device.

In another embodiment of the thirteenth aspect, the threshold valuecomprises 1° C./min.

In a fourteenth aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice is provided, the A/V recording and communication devicecomprising a processor; a motion sensor; and a temperature sensor;wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a change intemperature during an interval; wherein the processor is configured tocalculate a rate of change in the temperature during the interval; andwherein the processor is further configured compare the rate of changein the temperature during the interval to a threshold value, and if therate of change in the temperature during the interval is greater thanthe threshold value, then the processor is further configured to ignoreany signals from the motion sensor that were generated during theinterval.

In an embodiment of the fourteenth aspect, the motion sensor comprisesat least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the fourteenth aspect, A/V recording andcommunication device comprises a doorbell.

In another embodiment of the fourteenth aspect, the change intemperature measured by the temperature sensor comprises a change intemperature of a battery of the A/V recording and communication device.

In another embodiment of the fourteenth aspect, the threshold valuecomprises 1° C./min.

In a fifteenth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes a processor and a motion sensor, themethod comprising the motion sensor detecting a moving object within afield of view of the A/V recording and communication device andgenerating an output signal; the processor sampling the output signalfrom the motion sensor over a plurality of sampling intervals;calculating a magnitude of the output signal during each of the samplingintervals; determining whether the magnitude of the output signal isincreasing or decreasing over the plurality of sampling intervals; ifthe magnitude of the output signal is increasing over the plurality ofsampling intervals, then determining that the moving object is likelymoving toward the A/V recording and communication device; and if themagnitude of the output signal is decreasing over the plurality ofsampling intervals, then determining that the moving object is likelymoving away from the A/V recording and communication device.

In an embodiment of the fifteenth aspect, the calculating steps and thedetermining step are performed by the processor.

In another embodiment of the fifteenth aspect, the of motion sensorcomprises at least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

Another embodiment of the fifteenth aspect further comprises, when it isdetermined that the moving object is likely moving toward the A/Vrecording and communication device, then generating a user alert.

Another embodiment of the fifteenth aspect further comprises, when it isdetermined that the moving object is likely moving away from the A/Vrecording and communication device, then not generating a user alert.

In a sixteenth aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice it is provided, the A/V recording and communication devicecomprising a processor; and a motion sensor; wherein the motion sensoris configured to detect a moving object within a field of view of theA/V recording and communication device and to generate an output signal;wherein the processor is configured to sample the output signal from themotion sensor over a plurality of sampling intervals; wherein theprocessor is further configured to calculate a magnitude of the outputsignal during each of the sampling intervals; and wherein the processoris further configured to determine whether the magnitude of the outputsignal is increasing or decreasing over the plurality of samplingintervals, and if the magnitude of the output signal is increasing overthe plurality of sampling intervals, then the processor is furtherconfigured to determine that the moving object is likely moving towardthe A/V recording and communication device, and if the magnitude of theoutput signal is decreasing over the plurality of sampling intervals,then the processor is further configured, to determine that the movingobject is likely moving away from the A/V recording and communicationdevice.

In an embodiment of the sixteenth aspect, the motion sensor comprises atleast one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the sixteenth aspect, the processor is furtherconfigured to generate a user alert when it is determined that themoving object is likely moving toward the A/V recording andcommunication device.

In another embodiment of the sixteenth aspect, the processor is furtherconfigured to not generate a user alert when it is determined that themoving object is likely moving toward the A/V recording andcommunication device.

In a seventeenth aspect, a method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, wherein the A/V recording andcommunication device includes a processor and is plurality of motionsensors, the method comprising at least one of the motion sensorsdetecting, at a first time, a moving object within a field of view ofthe A/V recording and communication device; at least one of the motionsensors detecting, at a second time, the moving object within the fieldof view of the A/V recording and communication device; comparing a firstnumber of the motion sensors that detected the moving object within thefield of view of the A/V recording and communication device at the firsttime and a second number of the motion sensors that detected the movingobject within the field of view of the A/V recording and communicationdevice at the second time; if the first number is less than the secondnumber, then determining that the moving object is likely moving towardthe A/V recording and communication device; and if the first number isgreater than the second number, then determining that the moving objectis likely moving away from the A/V recording and communication device.

In an embodiment of the seventeenth aspect, the comparing step isperformed by the processor.

In an eighteenth aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, the A/V recording and communicationdevice comprising a processor; and a plurality of motion sensors;wherein at least one of the motion sensors is configured to detect, at afirst time, a moving object within a field of view of the A/V recordingand communication device; wherein at least one of the motion sensors isconfigured to detect, at a second time, the moving object within thefield of view of the A/V recording and communication device; wherein theprocessor is configured to compare a first number of the motion sensorsthat detected the moving object within the field of view of the A/Vrecording and communication device at the first time and a second numberof the motion sensors that detected the moving object within the fieldof view of the A/V recording and communication device at the secondtime, and if the first number is less than the second number, then theprocessor is further configured to determine that the moving object islikely moving toward the A/V recording and communication device, and ifthe first number is greater than the second number, then the processoris further configured to determine that the moving object is likelymoving away from the A/V recording and communication device.

In an embodiment of the eighteenth aspect, the motion sensors comprisepassive infrared (PIR) sensors.

In another embodiment of the eighteenth aspect, the processor is furtherconfigured to generate a user alert when it is determined that themoving object is likely moving toward the A/V recording andcommunication device.

In another embodiment of the eighteenth aspect, the processor is furtherconfigured to not generate a user alert when it is determined that themoving object is likely moving toward the A/V recording andcommunication device.

In a nineteenth aspect, a method for all audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, the A/V recording and communicationdevice including a processor, a motion sensor, and a camera, the methodcomprising, the motion sensor gathering information from within a fieldof view of the motion sensor and generating an output signal, theprocessor continually sampling the output signal from the motion sensorat regular sampling intervals, wherein the processor is in a low-powerstate between the sampling intervals, and wherein the processortransitions, at a beginning of each sampling interval, from a low-powerstate to an active state without receiving an interrupt signal from themotion sensor, the processor an the sampled output signal to determinewhether motion is indicated within the field of view of the motionsensor, and when motion is indicated within the field of view of themotion sensor, then at least one other component of the A/V recordingand communication device powering up.

In an embodiment of the nineteenth aspect, the sampling intervals occurevery 15.625 ms.

In another embodiment of the nineteenth aspect, the at least one othercomponent of the A/V recording and communication device comprises atleast one of a Wi-Fi chip, a camera processor, and an image sensor.

In another embodiment of the nineteenth aspect, the motion sensorcomprises at least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the nineteenth aspect, when motion is indicatedwithin the field of view of the motion sensor, then the processorgenerates a signal to power up the at least one other component of theA/V recording and communication device, and the at least one othercomponent of the A/V recording and communication device powers up inresponse to the signal from the processor.

In a twentieth aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording and communicationdevice is provided, comprising a processor, a motion sensor, and acamera, wherein the motion sensor is configured to gather informationfrom within a field of view of the motion sensor and to generate anoutput signal based on the gathered information, wherein the processoris configured to continually sample the output signal from the motionsensor at regular sampling intervals, wherein the processor is in alow-power state between the sampling intervals, and wherein theprocessor transitions, at a beginning of each sampling interval, from alow-power state to an active state without receiving an interrupt signalfrom the motion sensor, and wherein the processor is further configuredto analyze the sampled output signal to determine whether motion isindicated within the field of view of the motion sensor, and when motionis indicated within the field of view of the motion sensor, then atleast one other component of the A/V recording and communication deviceis configured to power up.

In an embodiment of the twentieth aspect, the sampling intervals occurevery 15.625 ms.

In another embodiment of the twentieth aspect, the at least one othercomponent of the A/V recording, and communication device comprises atleast one of a Wi-Fi chip, a camera processor, and an image sensor.

In another embodiment of the twentieth aspect, the motion sensorcomprises at least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the twentieth aspect, when motion is indicatedwithin the field, of view of the motion sensor, then the processor isfurther configured to generate a signal to power up the at least oneother component of the A/V recording and communication device, and theat least one other component of the A/V recording and communicationdevice is further configured to power up in response to the signal fromthe processor.

In a twenty-first aspect, an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device is provided, comprising a processor, a motionsensor, and a camera, wherein the motion sensor is configured to gatherinformation from within a field of view of the motion sensor and togenerate to output signal based on the gathered information wherein theprocessor is configured to transition, at a beginning of a samplinginterval, from a low-power state to an active state without receiving aninterrupt signal from the motion sensor, and the processor in the activestate is configured to sample the output signal from the motion sensor,and wherein the processor is further configured to analyze the sampledoutput signal to determine whether motion is indicated within the fieldof view of the motion sensor, and if no motion is indicated within thefield of view of the motion sensor, then the processor is configured torevert to the low-power state, and if motion is indicated within thefield of view of the motion sensor, then at least one other component ofthe A/V recording and communication device is configured to power up.

In an embodiment of the twenty-first aspect, if the processor reverts tothe low-power state, then the processor is further configured to waituntil a next sampling interval and again transition, at a beginning ofthe next sampling interval, from the low-power state to the active statewithout receiving an interrupt signal from the motion sensor, and againsample the output signal from the motion sensor.

In another embodiment of the twenty-first aspect, the at least one othercomponent of the A/V recording and communication device comprises atleast one of a Wi-Fi chip, a camera processor, and an image sensor.

In another embodiment of the twenty-first aspect, the motion sensorcomprises at least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.

In another embodiment of the twenty-first aspect, when motion isindicated within the field of view of the motion sensor, then theprocessor is further configured to generate a signal to power up the atleast one other component of the A/V recording and, communicationdevice, and the at least one other component of the A/V recording andcommunication device is further configured to power up in response tothe signal from the processor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments of the present apparatus, systems, and methodsfor motion detection for A/V recording and communication devices now winbe discussed in detail with an emphasis on highlighting the advantageousfeatures. These embodiments depict the novel and non obvious apparatus,systems, and methods for motion detection for A/V recording, andcommunication devices shown in the accompanying drawings, which are forillustrative purposes only. These drawings include the followingfigures, in which like numerals indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a system for streamingand storing A/V content captured by an A/V recording and communicationdevice according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an A/V recording and communication doorbellaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the A/V recording and communication doorbell ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the A/V recording and communicationdoorbell of FIG. 2 attached to a mounting bracket according to an aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional right side view of the A/V recording andcommunication doorbell of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the A/V recording and communicationdoorbell and the mounting bracket or FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and bottom views, respectively, of the A/Vrecording and communication doorbell and the mounting bracket of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are top and front views, respectively, of a passiveinfrared sensor holder of the A/V recording and communication doorbellof FIG. 2;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are top and front views respectively, of a passiveinfrared sensor holder assembly of the A/V recording and communicationdoorbell of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the passive infrared sensor assembly of FIG.10A and a field of view thereof according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12 a functional block diagram of the components of the A/Vrecording and communication doorbell of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process for an A/V recording andcommunication doorbell according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication doorbell according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication doorbell according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating a process for an A/V recording andcommunication device according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 17 is a graph illustrating another process for an A/V recording andcommunication device according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 19 is a graph illustrating another process for an A/V recording andcommunication device according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating another process for an A/V recording andcommunication device according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 23 is a graph illustrating another process for an A/V recording andcommunication device according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand coma device according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating another process for an A/V recordingand communication device according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 28 is a graph illustrating another process for an A/V recording andcommunication device according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram of a client device on which thepresent embodiments may be implemented according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes the present embodimentswith reference to the drawings. In the drawings, reference numbers labelelements of the present embodiments. These reference numbers arereproduced below in connection with the discussion of the correspondingdrawing features.

The embodiments of the present apparatus, systems, and methods formotion detection for A/V recording and communication devices aredescribed below with reference to the figures. These figures, and theirwritten descriptions, indicate that certain components of the apparatusare formed integrally, and certain other components are formed asseparate pieces. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatcomponents shown and described herein as being formed integrally may inalternative embodiments be formed as separate pieces. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will further appreciate that components shown anddescribed herein as being formed as separate pieces may in alternativeembodiments be formed integrally. Further, as used herein the termintegral describes a single unitary piece.

With reference to FIG. 1, the present embodiments include an audio/video(A/V) doorbell. While the present disclosure provides numerous examplesof methods and systems including A/V recording and communicationdoorbells, the present embodiments are equally applicable for A/Vrecording and communication devices other than doorbells. For example,the present embodiments may include one or more A/V recording andcommunication security cameras instead of, or in addition to, one orinure A/V recording and communication doorbells. An example A/Vrecording and communication security camera may include substantiallyall of the structure and functionality of the doorbells describedherein, but without the front button and related components.

The A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 is typically locatednear the entrance to a structure (not shown), such as a dwelling, abusiness, a storage facility, etc. The A/V recording and communicationdoorbell 100 includes a camera 102, a microphone 104, and a speaker 106.The camera 102 may comprise, for example, a high definition (HD) videocamera, such as one capable of capturing video images at an imagedisplay resolution of 720p or better. While not shown, the A/V recordingand communication doorbell 100 may also include other hardware and/orcomponents, such as a housing, one or more motion sensors (and/or othertypes of sensors), a button, etc. The A/V recording and communicationdoorbell 100 may further include similar componentry and/orfunctionality as the wireless communication doorbells described in USPatent Application Publication Nos. 2015/0022620 (application Ser. No.14/499,828) and 2015/0022618 (application Ser. No. 14/334,922), both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties as iffully set forth.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the A/V recording and communicationdevice 100 communicates with a user's network 110, which may be forexample a wired and/or or wireless network. If the user's network 110 iswireless, or includes a wireless component, the network 110 may be aWi-Fi network compatible with the IEEE 802.11 standard and/or otherwireless communication standard(s). The user's network 110 is connectedto another network 112, which may comprise, for example, the Internetand/or a public switched telephone network (PSTN). As described below,the A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 may communicate withthe user's client device 114 via the network 110 and the network 112(Internet/PSTN). The user's client device 114 may comprise, for example,a mobile telephone (may also be referred to as a cellular telephone),such as a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or anothercommunication device. The user's client device 114 comprises a display(not shown) and related components capable of displaying streaming andor recorded video images. The user's client device 114 may also comprisea speaker and related components capable of broadcasting streamingand/or recorded audio, and may also comprise a microphone. The A/Vrecording and communication doorbell 100 may also communicate with oneor more remote storage device(s) 116 (may be referred to interchangeablyas “cloud storage device(s)”) via the network 110 and the network 112(Internet/PSTN), one or more servers 118, and/or a backend API(application programming interface) 120 via the user's network 110 andthe network 112 (Internet/PSTN). While FIG. 1 illustrates the storagedevice 116, the server 118, and the backend API 120 as componentsseparate from the network 112, it is to be understood that the storagedevice 116, the server 118, and/or the backend API 120 may be consideredto be components of the network 112.

The network 112 may be any wireless network or any wired network, or acombination thereof, configured to operatively couple theabove-mentioned modules, devices, and systems as shown in FIG. 1. Forexample, the network 112 may include one or more of the following: aPSTN (public switched telephone network), the Internet, a localintranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), aWAN (Wide Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a virtualprivate network (VPN), a storage area network (SAN), a frame relayconnection, an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) connection, asynchronous optical network (SONET) connection, a digital T1, T3, E2 orE3 line, a Digital Data Service (DDS) connection, a DSL (DigitalSubscriber Line) connection, an Ethernet connection, an ISDN (IntegratedServices Digital Network) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34, orV.34bis analog modem connection, a cable modem, an ATM (AsynchronousTransfer Mode) connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)CDDI (Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore,communications may also include links to any of a variety of wirelessnetworks, including WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (GeneralPacket Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication),CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division MultipleAccess), FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access), and/or OFDMA(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) cellular phone networks,GPS, CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM (Research in Motion,Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth radio, or an IEEE 802.11 basedradio frequency network. The network can further include or interfacewith any one or more of the following: RS-232 serial connection.IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, Fibre Channel connection, IrDA(infrared) port, SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) connection, USD(Universal Serial Bus) connection, or other wired or wireless, digitalor analog, interface or connection, mesh or Digi® networking.

According to one or more aspects of the present embodiments, when aperson (may be referred to interchangeably as “visitor”) arrives at theA/V recording and communication doorbell 100, the A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100 detects the visitor's presence and beginscapturing video images within a field of view of the camera 102. The A/Vrecording and communication doorbell 100 may also capture audio throughthe microphone 104. The A/V recording and communication doorbell 100 maydetect the visitor's presence using a motion sensor, and/or by detectingthat the visitor has depressed the button on the A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100.

In response to the detection of the visitor, the A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100 sends an alert to the user's client device114 (FIG. 1) via the user's network 110 and the network 112. The A/Vrecording and communication doorbell 100 also sends streaming video, andmay also send streaming audio, to the user's client device 114. If theuser answers the alert, two-way audio communication may then occurbetween the visitor and the user through the A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100 and the users client device 114. The user mayview the visitor throughout the duration of the call, but the visitorcannot see the user (unless the A/V recording and communication doorbell100 includes a display, which it may in some embodiments).

The video images captured by the camera 102 of the A/V recording andcommunication doorbell 100 (and the audio captured by the microphone104) may be uploaded to the cloud and recorded on the remote storagedevice 116 (FIG. 1) and/or the server 118, in some embodiments, thevideo and/or audio may be recorded on the remote storage device 116and/or the server 118 even if the user chooses to ignore the alert sentto his or her client device 114.

The server 118 may comprise a computer program and/or a machine thatwaits for requests from other machines or software (clients) andresponds to them. A server typically processes data. One purpose of aserver is to share data and/or hardware and/or software resources amongclients. This architecture is called the client serer model. The clientsmay run on the same computer or may connect to the server over anetwork. Examples of computing servers include database servers, fileservers, mail servers, print servers, web servers, game servers, andapplication servers. The term server may be construed broadly to includeany computerized process that shares a resource to one or more clientprocesses. In another example, the network device to which the requestis sent may be an API such as the backend API 120, which is describedbelow.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the system may further comprise abackend API 120 including one or more components. A backend API(application programming interface) may comprise, fir example, a server(e.g. a real server, or a virtual machine, or a machine running in ascloud infrastructure as a service), or multiple servers networkedtogether exposing at least one API to client(s) accessing it. Theseservers may include components such as application servers (e.g.software servers), depending upon what other components are included,such as a caching layer, or database layers, or other components. Abackend API may, for example, comprise many such applications, each ofwhich communicate with one another using their public APIs. In someembodiments, the API backend may hold the bulk of the user data andoffer the user management capabilities, leaving the clients to have verylimited state.

The backend API 120 illustrated FIG. 1 may include one or more APIs. AnAPI is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software andapplications. An API expresses a software component in terms of itsoperations, inputs, outputs, and underlying types, definingfunctionalities that are independent of their respectiveimplementations, which allows definitions and implementations to varywithout compromising the interface. Advantageously, an API may provide aprogrammer with access to an application's functionality without theprogrammer needing to modify the application itself, or even understandhow the application works. An API may be for a web bayed system, anoperating system, or a database system, and it provides facilities todevelop applications for that system using a given programming language.In addition to accessing databases or computer hardware like hard diskdrives or video cards, an API can case the work of programming GUIcomponents. For example, an API can facilitate integration of newfeatures into existing applications (a so-called “plug-in API”). An APIcan also assist otherwise distinct applications with sharing data, whichcan help to integrate and enhance the functionalities of theapplications.

The backend API 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 may further include one ormore services (also referred to as network services). A network serviceis an application that provides data storage, manipulation,presentation, communication, and/or other capability. Network servicesare often implemented using a client-server architecture based onapplication layer network protocols. Each service may be provided by aserver component running on one or more computers (such as a dedicatedserver computer offering multiple services) and accessed via a networkby client components running on other devices. However, the client andserver components can both be run on the same machine, clients andservers may have a user interface, and sometimes other hardwareassociated with them.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate an audio/video (A/V) communication doorbell 130according to an aspect of the present embodiments, FIG. 2 is a frontview. FIG. 3 is a rear view, and FIG. 4 is a left side view of thedoorbell 130 coupled with a mounting bracket 137. The doorbell 130includes a faceplate 135 mounted to a back plate 139 (FIG. 3). Withreference to FIG. 4, the faceplate 135 has a substantially flat profile.The faceplate 135 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, metals, such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metalalloys, or plastics. The faceplate 135 protects the internal contents ofthe doorbell 130 and serves as an exterior front surface of the doorbell130.

With reference to FIG. 2, the faceplate 135 includes a button 133 and alight pipe 136. The button 133 and the light pipe 136 may have variousprofiles that may or may not match the profile of the faceplate 135. Thelight pipe 136 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, transparent plastic, that is capable of allowing lightproduced within the doorbell 130 to pass through. The light may beproduced by one or more light-emitting components, such as lightemitting diodes (LED's), contained within the doorbell 130, as furtherdescribed below. The button 133 may make contact with a button actuator(not shown) located within the doorbell 130 when the button 133 ispressed by a visitor. When pressed, the button 133 may trigger one ormore functions of the doorbell 130, as further described below.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the doorbell 130 further includes anenclosure 131 that engages the faceplate 135. In the illustratedembodiment, the enclosure 111 abuts an upper edge 135T (FIG. 2) of thefaceplate 135, but in alternative embodiments one or more gaps betweenthe enclosure 131 and the faceplate 135 may facilitate the passage ofsound and/or light through the doorbell 130. The enclosure 131 maycomprise any suitable material, but in some embodiments the material ofthe enclosure 131 preferably permits infrared light to pass through frominside the doorbell 130 to the environment and vice versa. The doorbell130 further includes a lens 132. In some embodiments, the lens maycomprise a Fresnel lens, which may be patterned to deflect incominglight into one or more infrared sensors located within the doorbell 130.The doorbell 130 further in a camera 134, which captures video data whenactivated, as described below.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the doorbell 130, according to an aspect of thepresent embodiments. As illustrated, the enclosure 131 may extend fromthe front of the doorbell 130 around to the back thereof and may fitsnugly around a lip of the back plate 139. The back plate 139 maycomprise any suitable material, including, without limitation, metals,such as brushed aluminum or stainless steel, metal alloys, or plastics.The back plate 139 protects the internal contents of the doorbell 130and serves as an exterior rear surface of the doorbell 130. Thefaceplate 135 may extend from the front of the doorbell 130 and at leastpartially wrap around the back plate 139, thereby allowing a coupledconnection between the faceplate 135 and the back plate 139. The backplate 139 may have indentations in its structure to facilitate thecoupling.

With further reference to FIG. 3, spring contacts 140 may provide powerto the doorbell 130 when mated with other conductive contacts connectedto a power source. The spring contacts 140 may comprise any suitableconductive material, including, without limitation, copper, and may becapable of deflecting when contacted by an inward force, for example theinsertion of a mating element. The doorbell 130 further comprises aconnector 160, such as a micro-USB or other connector, whereby powerand/or data may be supplied to and from the components within thedoorbell 130. A reset button 159 may be located on the back plate 139,and may make contact with a button actuator (not shown) located withinthe doorbell 130 when the reset button 159 is pressed. When the resetbutton 159 is pressed, it may trigger one or more functions, asdescribed below.

FIG. 4 is a left side profile view of the doorbell 130 coupled to themounting bracket 137, according to an aspect of the present embodiments.The mounting bracket 137 facilitates mounting the doorbell 130 to asurface, such as the exterior of a building, such as a home or office.As illustrated in FIG. 4, the faceplate 135 may extend from the bottomof the doorbell 130 up to just below the camera 134, and connect to theback plate 139 as described above. The lens 132 may extend and curlpartially around the side of the doorbell 130. The enclosure 131 mayextend and cud around the aide and top of the doorbell 130, and may becoupled to the back plate 139 as described above. The camera 134 mayprotrude slightly through the enclosure 131, thereby giving it a widerfield of view. The mounting bracket 137 may couple with the back plate139 such that they contact each other at various points in a commonplane of contact, thereby creating an assembly including the doorbell130 and the mounting bracket 137. The couplings described in thisparagraph, and elsewhere, be secured by, for example and withoutlimitation, screws, interference fittings, adhesives, or otherfasteners. Interference fittings may refer to a type of connection wherea material relies on pressure and/or gravity coupled with the material'sphysical strength to support a connection to a different element.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the doorbell 130 without themounting bracket 137. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens 132 issubstantially coplanar with the front surface 131F of the enclosure 131.In alternative embodiments, the lens 132 may be recessed within theenclosure 131 or may protrude outward from the enclosure 131. The camera134 is coupled to a camera printed circuit board (PCB) 147, and a lens134 a of the camera 134 protrudes through an opening in the enclosure131. The camera lens 134 a may be a lens capable of focusing light intothe camera 134 so that clear images may be taken.

The camera PCB 147 may be secured within the doorbell with any suitablefasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.The camera PCB 147 comprises various components that enable thefunctionality of the camera 134 of the doorbell 130, as described below.Infrared light-emitting components, such as infrared LED's 168, arecoupled to the camera PCB 147 and may be triggered to activate when alight sensor detects a low level of ambient light. When activated, theinfrared LED's 168 may emit infrared light through the enclosure 131and/or the camera 134 out into the ambient environment. The camera 134,which may be configured to detect infrared light, may then capture thelight emitted by the infrared LED's 168 as it reflects off objectswithin the camera's 134 field of view, so that the doorbell 130 canclearly capture images at night (may be referred to as “night vision”).

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the doorbell 130 further comprises afront PCB 146, which in the illustrated embodiment resides in a lowerportion of the doorbell 130 adjacent a battery 166. The front PCB 146may be secured within the doorbell 130 with any suitable fasteners, suchas screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The front PCB146 comprises various components that enable the functionality of theaudio and light components, as further described below. The battery 166may provide power to the doorbell 130 components while receiving powerfrom the spring contacts 140, thereby engaging in a trickle-chargemethod of power consumption and supply. Alternatively, the doorbell 130may draw power directly from the spring contacts 140 while relying onthe battery 166 only when the spring contacts 140 are not providing thepower necessary for all functions.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the doorbell 130 further comprises apower PCB 148, which in the illustrated embodiment resides behind thecamera PCB 147. The power PCB 148 may be secured within the doorbell 130with any suitable fasteners, such as screws, or interferenceconnections, adhesives, etc. The power PCB 148 comprises variouscomponents that enable the functionality of the power and device-controlcomponents, as further described below.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the doorbell 130 further comprises acommunication module 164 coupled to the power PCB 148. The communicationmodule 164 facilitates communication with client devices in one or moreremote locations, as further described below. The connector 160 mayprotrude outward from the power PCB 148 and extend through a hole in theback plate 139. The doorbell 130 further comprises passive infrared(PIR) sensors 144, which are secured on or within a PIR sensor holder143, and the assembly resides behind the lens 132. The PIR sensor holder143 may be secured to the doorbell 130 with any suitable fasteners, suchas screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The PIR sensors144 may be any type of sensor capable of detecting and communicating thepresence of a heat source within their field of view. Further,alternative embodiments may comprise one or more motion sensors eitherin place of or in addition to the PIR sensors 144. The motion sensorsmay be configured to detect motion using any methodology, such as amethodology that does not rely on detecting the presence of a heatsource within a field of view.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the doorbell 130 and the mourning bracket137 according to an aspect of the present embodiments. The mountingbracket 137 is configured to be mounted to a mounting surface (notshown) of a structures such as a home or an office. FIG. 6 shows thefront side 137F of the mounting bracket 137. The mounting bracket 117 isconfigured to be mounted to the mounting surface such that the back side137B thereof faces the mounting surface. In certain embodiments themounting bracket 137 may be mounted to surfaces of various composition,including, without limitation, wood, concrete, stucco, brick, vinylsiding, aluminum siding, etc., with any suitable fasteners, such asscrews, or interference connections, adhesives, etc. The doorbell 130may be coupled to the mounting bracket 137 with any suitable fasteners,such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the illustrated embodiment of themounting bracket 137 includes the terminal screws 138. The terminalscrews 138 are configured to receive electrical wires adjacent themounting surface of the structure upon which the mounting bracket 137 ismounted, so that the doorbell 130 may receive electrical power from thestructure's electrical system. The terminal screws 138 are electricallyconnected to electrical contacts 177 of the mounting bracket. If poweris supplied to the terminal screws 138, then the electrical contacts 177also receive power through the terminal screws 138. The electricalcontacts 177 may comprise any suitable conductive material, including,without limitation, copper, and may protrude slightly from the face ofthe mounting bracket 137 so that they may mate with the spring contacts140 located on the back plate 139.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 (which is a rear view of the mountingbracket 137), the mounting bracket 137 further comprises a bracket PCB149. With reference to FIG. 7, the bracket PCB 149 is situated outsidethe doorbell 130, and is therefore configured for various sensors thatmeasure ambient conditions, such as an accelerometer 150, a barometer151, a humidity sensor 152, and a temperature sensor 153. The functionsof these components are discussed in more detail below. The bracket PCB149 may be secured to the mounting bracket 137 with any suitablefasteners, such as screws, or interference connections, adhesives, etc.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and bottom views, respectively, of the doorbell130. As described above, the enclosure 131 may extend from the frontface 131F of the doorbell 130 to the back, where it contacts and snuglysurrounds the back plate 139. The camera 134 may protrude slightlybeyond the front face 131F of the enclosure 131, thereby giving thecamera 134 a wider field of view. The mounting bracket 137 may include asubstantially flat rear surface 137R, such that the doorbell 130 and themounting bracket 137 assembly may sit flush against the surface to whichthey are mounted. With reference to FIG. 8B, the lower end of theenclosure 131 may include security screw apertures 141 configured toreceive screws or other fasteners.

FIG. 9A is a top view of the PIR sensor holder 143. The PIR sensorholder 143 may comprise any suitable material, including, withoutlimitation, metals, metal or plastics. The PIR sensor holder 143 isconfigured to mount the PIR sensors 144 behind the lens 132 such thatthe PIR sensors 144 face out through die lens 132 at varying angles,thereby creating a wide field of view for the PIR sensors 144, anddividing the field of view into zones, as further described below. Withfurther reference to FIG. 9A, the PIR sensor holder 143 includes one ormore faces 178 within or on which the PIR sensors 144 may be mounted. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the PIR sensor holder 143 includes threefaces 178, with each of two outer faces 178 angled at 55° with respectto a center one of the faces 178. In alternative embodiments, the angleformed by adjacent ones of the faces 178 may be increased or decreasedas desired to alter the field of view of the PIR sensors 144.

FIG. 9B is a front view of the PIR sensor holder 143. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the faces 178 includes a through hole 180 in whichthe PIR sensors 144 may be mounted. First and second bracket 182, spacedfrom one another, extend transversely across the PIR sensor holder 143.Each of the brackets 182 includes notches 184 at either end. Thebrackets 182 may be used to secure the PIR sensor holder 143 within thedoorbell 130. In alternative embodiments, the through holes 180 in thefaces 178 may be omitted. For example, the PIR sensors 144 may bemounted directly to the faces 178 without the through holes 180.Generally, the faces 178 may be comprise any structure configured tolocate and secure the PIR sensors 144 in place.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are top and front views, respectively, of a PIR sensorassembly 179, including the PIR sensor holder 143, the lens 132, and aflexible power circuit 145. The PIR sensor holder 143 may be secured toa rear face 132R of the lens 132, as shown, with the brackets 182abutting the rear face 132R of the lens 132. The flexible power circuit145, which may be any material or component capable of delivering powerand/or data to and from the PIR sensors 144, is secured to a rear face143R of the PIR sensor holder 143, and may be contoured to match theangular shape of the PIR sensor holder 143. The flexible power circuit145 may connect to, draw power from, and/or transmit data to and/orfrom, the power PCB 148 (FIG. 5).

FIG. 11 is a top view of the PIR sensor assembly 179 illustrating thefields of view of the PIR sensors 144. Each PIR sensor 144 in a field ofview, referred to as a “zone,” that traces an angle extending outwardfrom the respective PIR sensor 144. Zone 1 is the area that is visibleonly to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-1. Zone 2 is the area that isvisible only to the PIR sensors 144-1 and 144-2. Zone 3 is the area thatis visible only to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-2. Zone 4 is the areathat is visible only to the PIR sensors 144-2 and 144-3. Zone 5 is thearea that is visible only to Passive Infrared Sensor 144-3. The doorbell130 may be capable of determining the direction that an object is movingbased upon which zones are triggered in a time sequence. In theillustrated embodiment, each zone extends across an angle of 110°. Inalternative embodiments, each zone may extend across a different angle,such as one greater than or less than 110°.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the components within or incommunication with the doorbell 130, according to an aspect of thepresent embodiments. As described above, the bracket PCB 149 maycomprise an accelerometer 150, a barometer 151, a humidity sensor 152,and a temperature sensor 153. The accelerometer 150 may be one or moresensors capable of sensing motion and/or acceleration. The barometer 151may be one or more sensors capable of determining the atmosphericpressure of the surrounding environment in which the bracket PCB 149 maybe located. The humidity sensor 152 may be one or more sensors capableof determining the amount of moisture present in the atmosphericenvironment in which the bracket PCB 149 may be located. The temperaturesensor 153 may be one or more sensors capable of determining, thetemperature of the ambient environment in which the bracket PCB 149 maybe located. As described above, the bracket PCB 149 may be locatedoutside the housing of the doorbell 130 so as to reduce interferencefrom heat, pressure, moisture, and/or other stimuli generated by theinternal components of the doorbell 130.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the bracket PCB 149 may furthercomprise terminal screw inserts 154, which may be configured to receivethe terminal, screws 138 and transmit power to the electrical contacts177 on the mounting bracket 137 (FIG. 6). The bracket PCB 149 may beelectrically and/or mechanically coupled to the power PCB 148 throughthe terminal screws 138, the terminal screw inserts 154, the springcontacts 140, and the electrical contacts 177. The terminal screws 138may receive electrical wires located at the surface to which thedoorbell 130 is mounted, such as the wall of a building, so that thedoorbell can receive electrical power from the building's electricalsystem. Upon the terminal screws 138 being secured within the terminalscrew inserts 154, power may be transferred to the bracket PCB 149, andto all of the components associated therewith, including the electricalcontacts 177. The electrical contacts 177 may transfer electrical powerto the power PCB 148 by mating with the spring contacts 140.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the front PCB 146 may comprise alight sensor 155, one or more light-emitting components, such as LED's156, one or more speakers 157, and a microphone 158. The light sensor155 may be one or more sensors capable of detecting the level of ambientlight of the surrounding environment in which the doorbell 130 may belocated. LED's 156 may be one or more light-emitting diodes capable ofproducing visible light when supplied with power. The speakers 157 maybe any electromechanical device capable of producing sound in responseto an electrical signal input. The microphone 158 may be anacoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor capable of converting soundwaves into an electrical signal. When activated, the LED's 156 mayilluminate the light pipe 136 (FIG. 2). The front PCB 146 and allcomponents thereof may be electrically coupled to the power PCB 148,thereby allowing data and/or power to be transferred to and from thepower PCB 148 and the front PCB 146.

The speakers 157 and the microphone 158 may be coupled to the cameraprocessor 170 through rum audio CODEC 161. For example, the transfer ofdigital audio from the user's client device 114 and the speakers 157 andthe microphone 158 may be compressed and decompressed using the audioCODEC 161, coupled to the camera processor 170. Once compressed by audioCODEC 161, digital audio data may be sent through the communicationmodule 164 to the network 112, routed by one or more servers (notshown), and delivered to the user's client device 114. When the userspeaks, after being transferred through the network 112, digital audiodata is decompressed by audio CODEC 161 and emitted to the visitor viathe speakers 157.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the power PCB 148 may comprise apower management module 162, a microcontroller 163, the communicationmodule 164, and power PCB non-volatile memory 165. In certainembodiments, the power management module 162 may comprise an integratedcircuit capable of arbitrating between multiple voltage rails, therebyselecting the source of power for the doorbell 130. The battery 166, thespring contacts 140, and/or the connector 160 may each provide power tothe power management module 162. The power management module 162 mayhave separate power rails dedicated to the battery 166, the springcontacts 140, and the connector 160. In one aspect of the presentdisclosure, the power management module 162 may continuously draw powerfrom the battery 166 to power the doorbell 130, while at the same timerouting power from the spring contacts 140 and/or the connector 160 tothe battery 166, thereby allowing the battery 166 to maintain asubstantially constant level of charge. Alternatively, the powermanagement module 162 may continuously draw power from the springcontacts 140 and/or the connector 160 to power the doorbell 130, whileonly drawing from the battery 166 when the power from the springcontacts 140 and/or the connector 160 is low or insufficient. The powermanagement module 162 may also serve as a conduit for data between theconnector 160 and the microcontroller 163.

With further reference to FIG. 12, in certain embodiments themicrocontroller 163 may comprise an integrated circuit including aprocessor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Themicrocontroller 163 may receive input signals, such as data and/orpower, from the PIR sensors 144, the bracket PCB 149, the powermanagement module 152, the light sensor 155, the microphone 158, and/orthe communication module 164, and may perform various functions asfurther described below. When the microcontroller 163 is triggered bythe PIR sensors 144, the microcontroller 163 may be triggered to performone or more functions, such as those described below with reference toFIG. 14. When the light sensor 155 detects a low level of ambient light,the light sensor 155 may trigger the microcontroller 163 to enable“night vision,” as further described below. The microcontroller 163 mayalso act as a conduit for data communicated between various componentsand the communication module 164.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the communication module 164 maycomprise an integrated circuit including a processor core, memory, andprogrammable input/output peripherals. The communication module 164 mayalso be configured to transmit data wirelessly (and/or over a wiredconnection) to a remote network device, and may include one or moretransceivers (not shown). The wireless communication may comprise one ormore wireless networks, such as, without limitation, Wi-Fi, cellular,Bluetooth, and/or satellite networks. The communication module 144 mayreceive inputs, such as power and/or data, from the camera. PCB 147, themicrocontroller 163, the button 133, the reset button 159, and/or thepower PCB non-volatile memory 165. When the button 133 is pressed, thecommunication module 164 may be triggered to perform one or morefunctions, such as those described below with reference to FIG. 13. Whenthe reset button 159 is pressed, the communication module 164 may betriggered to erase any data stored at the power PCB non-volatile memory165 and/or at the camera PCB memory 159. The communication module 154may also act as a conduit for data communicated between variouscomponents and the microcontroller 153. The power PCB non-volatilememory 165 may comprise flash memory configured to store and/or transmitdata. For example, in certain embodiments the power PCB non-volatilememory 165 may comprise serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash memory.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the camera PCB 147 may comprisecomponents that facilitate the operation of the camera 134. For example,an imager 171 may comprise a video recording sensor and/or a camerachip. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the imager 171 maycomprise a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) array, and maybe capable of recording high definition (720p or better) video files. Acamera processor 170 may comprise an encoding and compression chip. Insome embodiments, the camera processor 170 may comprise a bridgeprocessor. The camera processor 170 may process video recorded by theimager 171 and audio recorded try the microphone 158, and may transformthis data into a form suitable for wireless transfer by thecommunication module 164 to a network. The camera PCB memory 169 maycomprise volatile memory that may be used when data is being buffered orencoded by the camera processor 170. For example, in certain embodimentsthe camera PCB memory 169 may comprise synchronous dynamic random accessmemory (SD RAM). IR LED's 168 may comprise light-emitting diodes capableof radiating infrared light. IR cut filter 167 may comprise a systemthat, when triggered, configures the imager 171 to see primarilyinfrared light as opposed to visible light. When the light sensor 155detects a low level of ambient light (which may comprise a level thatimpedes the performance of the imager 171 in the visible spectrum), theIR LED's 168 may shine infrared light through the doorbell 130 enclosureout to the environment, and the IR cut filter 167 may enable the imager171 to see this infrared light as it is reflected or refracted off ofobjects within the field of view of the doorbell. This process mayprovide the doorbell 130 with the “night vision” function mentionedabove.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B200, avisitor presses the button 133 on the doorbell 130. At block B202, thecommunication module 164 sends a request to a network device. Once thenetwork device receives the request, at block B204 the network devicemay connect the doorbell 130 to the user's client device 114 through theuser's network 110 and the network 112. In block B206, the doorbell 130may record available audio and/or video data using the camera 134, themicrophone 158, and/or any other sensor available. At block B208, theaudio and/or video data is transmitted to the user's client device 114.At block B210, the user may receive a notification on his or her clientdevice 114 prompting him or her to either accept or deny. If the userdenies the notification, then the process advances to block B214 wherethe audio and/or video data is recorded and stored at a cloud server.The session then ends at block B216 and the connection between thedoorbell 130 and the user's client device 114 is terminated. If,however, the user elects to accept the notification, then at block B212the user communicates with the visitor through the user's client device114 while being provided audio and/or video data captured by the camera134, the microphone 158, and/or other sensors. At the end of the call,the user may terminate the connection between the user's client device114 and the doorbell 130 and the session ends at block B216. In someembodiments, the audio and/or video data may be recorded and stored at acloud server even if the user accepts the notification and communicateswith the visitor through the user's client device 114.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B300, anobject may move into the field of view of one or more of the PIR sensors144. At block B302, the PIR sensors 144 may trigger the microcontroller163, which may then trigger the communication module 164 to send arequest to a network device. At block B304, the network device mayconnect the doorbell 130 to the user's client device 114 through theuser's network 110 and the network 112. At block B306, the doorbell 130may record available audio and/or video data using the camera 134, themicrophone 158, and/or any other available sensor, and stream the datato the user's client device 114. At block B308, the user may receive anotification prompting the user to either accept or deny thenotification. If the notification is accepted, then at block B310 a thelive audio/video data may be displayed on the user's client device 114,thereby allowing the user surveillance from the perspective of thedoorbell 130. When the user is satisfied with this function, the usermay sever the connection at block B312, whereby the session ends. If,however, at block B308 the user denies the notification, or ignores thenotification and a specified time interval elapses, then the connectionbetween the doorbell 130 and the user's client device 114 is terminatedand the audio/video data is recorded and stored at a cloud server atblock B310 b, such that the user may view the audio/video data later attheir convenience. The doorbell 130 may be configured to record for aspecified period of time in the event the notification in block B308 isdenied or ignored, if such a time period is set, the doorbell 130 mayrecord data for that period of time before ceasing operation at blockB312 thereby ending the session.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a processaccording to an aspect of the present disclosure. At block B400, theuser may select a “snooze time-out,” which is a time period during whichthe doorbell 130 may deactivate or otherwise not respond to stimuli(such as light, sound, or heat signatures) after an operation isperformed, e.g. a notification is either accepted or denied/ignored. Forexample, the user may set a snooze time out of 15 minutes. At blockB402, an object moves into the field of view of one or more of the PIRsensors 144. At block B404, the microcontroller 163 may trigger thecommunication module 164 to send a request to a network device. In blockB406, the network device may connect the doorbell 130 to the user'sclient device 114 through the user's network 110 and the network 112. Atblock 13408, audio/video data captured by the doorbell 130 may bestreamed to the user's client device 114. At block B410, the user mayreceive a notification prompting the user to either accept or denyignore the request, if the request is denied or ignored, then at blockB412 b audio/video data may be recorded and stored at a cloud server.After the doorbell 130 finishes recording, the objects may remain in thePIR sensor 144 field of view at block B414. In block B416, themicrocontroller 163 waits for the “snooze time” to elapse, e.g. 15minutes, before triggering the communication module 164 to submitanother request to the network device. After the snooze time, e.g. 15minutes, elapses, the process moves back to block B404 and progresses asdescribed above. The cycle may continue like this until the user acceptsthe notification request at block B410. The process then moves to blockB412 a, where live audio and/or video data is displayed on the user'sclient device 114, thereby allowing the user surveillance from theperspective of the doorbell 130. At the user's request, the connectionmay be severed and the session ends at block B418. At this point theuser may elect for the process to revert back to block B416, wherebythere may be no further response until the snooze time, e.g. 15 minutes,has elapsed from the end of the previous session, or the user may electfor the process to return to block B402 and receive a notification thenext time an object is perceived by one or more of the PIR sensors 144.

Continual Information Sampling at Regular Intervals

As described above, the present embodiments leverage the capabilities ofaudio/video (A/V) recording and communication devices, thereby providingenhanced functionality to such devices to reduce crime and increasepublic safety. One aspect of the present embodiments includes therealization that some methods for detecting motion with an A/V recordingand communication device include undesirable latency. For example, insome methods a processor may not sample or analyze any information frommotion sensors until it receives an interrupt. The processor then mustgather at least a threshold number of information samples, whichrequires waiting at least a threshold number of sampling intervals, inorder to gather enough information to confirm (or disconfirm) thatmotion is indicated. The time spent sampling information from the motionsensors after the interrupt thus creates latency. As further describedbelow, processes according to the present embodiments solve this latencyproblem by enabling the processor to continually sample information fromthe motion sensors at regular intervals. Thus, in some embodiments, assoon as the sampled information indicates motion, the processor mayimmediately signal other components of the A/V recording andcommunication device to power up, thus eliminating the latency problemdescribed above.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are graphs illustrating two processes for detectingmotion with an A/V recording and communication device, according to thepresent embodiments. With reference to FIG. 16, the carve 500 representsthe output signal from the PIR sensors 144. The curve 500 is plotted onhorizontal and vertical axes representing time and intensity (ormagnitude), respectively. For simplicity and clarity, only one curve 500is illustrated in FIG. 16, even though each of the three PIR sensors 144may produce a separate output signal.

As long as the PIR sensors 144 are powered on, they continually gatherinformation from the field of view of the doorbell 130. For the PIRsensors 144, gathering information may comprise receiving IR radiationfrom one or more objects in the field of view of the doorbell 130.However, in some embodiments the doorbell 130 is configured to conservepower during periods of little or no activity in the vicinity of thedoorbell 130. Thus, many, if not most or substantially all, of thecomponents of the doorbell 130 may be in a low-power state (may also bereferred to as a sleep state or a hibernation state) during periods oflittle or no activity in the field of view of the doorbell 130. Forexample, the microcontroller 143 (FIG. 12) may be in a low-power stateuntil “woken up” by the PIR sensors 144. When the PIR sensors 144 detectmotion (or possible motion) in the field of view of the doorbell 130,the PIR sensors 144 generate an interrupt 502 for the microcontroller163, represented by the vertical dashed line in FIG. 16. In response tothe interrupt 502, the microcontroller 163 powers up to an active stateand commences sampling information from the PIR sensors 144 at regularlyspaced sampling intervals 504, as represented by the vertical solidlines under the curve in FIG. 16. The sampling intervals 504 may haveany time spacing, but in one example embodiment the microcontroller 143may sample the information from the PIR sensors 144 at 64 Hz (one sampleevery 15.625 ms).

The microcontroller 163 analyzes the information in each sample, andcontinues sampling and analyzing the information from the PIR sensors144 until enough information has been sampled and analyzed for themicrocontroller 163 to determine whether there is actually motion in thefield of view of the doorbell 130. In some embodiments, a number ofsampling intervals 504 may be a preset number, or may be whatever numberof samples is needed to make a positive determination that there ismotion within the field of view of the doorbell 130. If the sampledinformation indicates motion, then the microcontroller 163 generates asignal to power up other components of the doorbell 130. For example, atleast one of the communication module 164 (FIG. 12), the cameraprocessor 170, and the imager 171 may power up in response to the signalfrom the microcontroller 163. The doorbell 130 may then begin streamingvideo and/or audio content to the user's client device 114, inaccordance with the streaming process described above. If, however, thesampled information duos not indicate motion, then the processor mayrevert to the low-power state until it receives another interrupt 502from the PIR sensors 144.

In the process described above with reference to FIG. 14, themicrocontroller 163 does not sample or analyze any information from thePIR sensors 144 until it receives the interrupt 502, as indicated by theblank area 504 under the curve 500 to the left of the dashed verticalline 502. The process of FIG. 16 thus includes undesirable latency. Theprocess illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 solves this latency problem byenabling the microcontroller 163 to continually sample information fromthe PIR sensors 144 at regular intervals.

With reference to FIG. 17, the microcontroller 163 continually samplesinformation from the PIR sensors 144 at regular sampling intervals 510,as represented by the vertical solid lines under the curve 512 in FIG.17. Between sampling intervals 510, the microcontroller 163 is in thelow-power state, as represented by the spaces between the vertical solidlines 510 under the curve 512 in FIG. 17. At each sampling interval 510,the microcontroller 163 powers up to the active state, analyzes theinformation in the sample, and then immediately reverts to the low-powerstate until the next sampling interval 510, unless a threshold number ofconsecutive samples and respective magnitudes indicate that motion ishappening in the field of view of the doorbell 130. If a thresholdnumber of consecutive samples and respective magnitudes indicate thatmotion is happening in the field of view of the doorbell 130, then themicrocontroller 163 generates a signal to power up other components ofthe doorbell 130, such as at least one of the communication module 164(FIG. 12), the camera processor 170, and the imager 171. In someembodiments, the threshold number of consecutive samples may be a presetnumber, or may be whatever number of samples is needed to make apositive determination that there motion within the field of view of thedoorbell 130.

FIG. 18 illustrates the foregoing process in further detail. At blockB520, the PIR sensors 144 gather information from the area in the fieldof view of the doorbell 130 and generate an output signal 512 (FIG. 17).Then, at block B522, at a sampling interval 510 (FIG. 17), themicrocontroller 163 powers up to the active state, and samples andanalyzes the information from the PIR sensors 144. The process thenmoves to block B524, where the microcontroller 163 determines whetherthe sampled information indicates motion in the field of view of thedoorbell 130. If not, then the process moves to block B526, where themicrocontroller 163 reverts to the low-power state and waits until thenext sampling interval, at which time the process realms to block B522and repeats blocks B522 and B524. If, however, the microcontroller 163determines at block B524 that the sampled information indicates motionin the field of view of the doorbell 130, then the process moves toblock B528, where the microcontroller 163 generates a signal to power upother components of the doorbell 130. While not shown in FIG. 18, afterbock B528 the doorbell 130 streams audio and/or video content to theusers client device 114.

In certain embodiments, the determination at block B524 (whether thesampled information indicates motion in the field of view of thedoorbell 130) is based on sampling and an of a threshold number ofsamples, where the threshold number is an integer greater than 1. Thus,the process of FIG. 18 may loop through blocks B522-B526 until thethreshold number of samples is reached, after which the process moves toblock B528, unless no motion is indicated by the threshold number ofsamples, in which case the process will continue to loop through blocksB522-B526. The threshold number of samples is discussed in furtherdetail below with reference to FIG. 28.

The process of FIGS. 17 and 18 advantageously decreases latency comparedto the process of FIG. 16. In the process of FIG. 16, themicrocontroller 163 doesn't begin to sample information from the PIRsensors 144 until it receives an interrupt. The microcontroller 163 thenmust gather at least a threshold number of information samples, whichrequires waiting at least a threshold number of sampling intervals, inorder to gather enough information to confirm (or disconfirm) thatmotion is indicated in the field of view of the doorbell 130. The timespent sampling information from the PIR sensors 144 thus createslatency. By contrast, in the process of FIGS. 17 and 18 themicrocontroller 163 is continually sampling information from the PIRsensors 144 at regular intervals. Thus, as soon as the sampledinformation indicates motion, the microcontroller 163 immediatelysignals the other components of the doorbell 130 to power up, thuseliminating the latency of the process of FIG. 16.

The process of FIGS. 17 and 18 does not create a severe power drain onthe battery 166, at least in part because the microcontroller 163 is inthe low-power state between sampling intervals. Further, the process ofFIGS. 17 and 18 may be executed with a microcontroller 163 having arelatively slow processor clock, for example 4 MHz. The relatively slowprocessor clock enables the microcontroller 163 to consume relativelylittle power, so that the battery 166 does not drain too quickly.

Filters

Another aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization thata motion sensor will generally detect a vehicle passing through itsfield of view, but a user will generally not want to be bothered byalerts generated in response to vehicles. As further described below,processes according to the present embodiments solve this problem byfiltering out motion of vehicles in order to reduce false positivesignals. Another aspect of the present embodiments includes therealization that false positive signals are sometimes generated bydirect sunlight impinging on motion sensors, such as PIR sensors, and/orby rapid temperature changes within the A/V recording and communicationdevice. As further described below, processes according to the presentembodiments solve this problem by filtering out these stimuli in orderto reduce false positive signals.

Vehicle Filter

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a process for filtering out motion ofvehicles, according to the present embodiments. With reference to FIG.19, three curves 540, 542, 544 represent the output signals from thethree PIR sensors 144, respectively labeled PIR₁, PIR₂, and PIR₃. Withreference to FIG. 11, as an object moves across the field of view of thedoorbell 130 (from left to right or right to left), it passes through,consecutively, the fields of view of the individual PIR sensors 144-1,144-2, 144-3. Thus, the discrete output signals PIR₁, PIR₂, PIR₃generated by each of the PIR sensors 144-1, 144-2, 144-3 are spaced fromone another along the x-axis in FIG. 19. If the object is moving quicklyacross the field of view of the doorbell 130, the output signals PIR₁,PIR₂, PIR₃ will be closely spaced along the x-axis. Conversely, if theobject is moving slowly across the field of view of the doorbell 130,the output signals PIR₁, PIR₂, PIR₃ will be spaced far apart along thex-axis. Since vehicles generally move faster than people, vehicles canbe filtered out by comparing the spacing of the output signals PIR₁,PIR₂, PIR₃ with a threshold value and, if the spacing is less than thethreshold value, it can be assumed that the motion indicates a vehicle.

One advantageous way to measure the spacing between the output signalsPIR₁, PIR₂, PIR₃ is to calculate local maxima and minima for each of thecurves 540, 542, 544, and to calculate the spacing between the localmaxima and minima. For example, with continued reference to FIG. 19, thefirst output signal PIR₁ includes a local maximum max_(PIR1) and a localminimum min_(PIR1). Likewise, the second output signal PIR₂ includes alocal maximum max_(PIR2) and a local minimum min_(PIR2), and the thirdoutput signal PIR₃ includes a local maximum max_(PIR3) and a localminimum min_(PIR3). After calculating the locations of each ofmax_(PIR1), max_(PIR2), max_(PIR3), min_(PIR1), min_(PIR2), andmin_(PIR3), the spacing between each pair of local maxima and each pairof local minima is calculated by subtracting the time coordinates ofeach pair (max_(PIR2)−max_(PIR1), max_(PIR3)−max_(PIR2),max_(PIR3)−max_(PIR1); min_(PIR2)−min_(PIR1), min_(PIR3)−min_(PIR2),min_(PIR3)−min_(PIR1)). The result of each subtraction operation is thencompared with a threshold value, if any of the results of thesubtraction operations is less than the threshold value, it is likelythat the motion indicates a vehicle, because faster moving objects causethe PIR sensors 144 to generate output signals that are closer to oneanother in time. Output signals from the PIR sensors 144 that are likelyto have been caused by a vehicle can be filtered out (ignored) forpurposes of determining when to send an alert signal to the user'sclient device 114. The present process thus advantageously results infewer alert signals by filtering out those motions that are generated byvehicles, because the user is not likely to be interested in beingnotified about these types of motions.

FIG. 20 illustrates the foregoing process in further detail. At blockB550, a first one of the PIR sensors 144 detects a moving object withinits field of view and generates a first output signal. The first one ofthe PIR sensors 144 to generate the first output signal may be any ofthe PIR sensors 144-1, 144-2, 144-3, depending upon the location and/ordirection of movement of the object. Then, at block B552, a second oneof the PIR sensors 144 detects the moving object within its field ofview and generates a second output signal. Again, the second one of thePIR sensors 144 to generate the second output signal may be any of thePIR sensors 144-1, 144-2, 144-3, depending upon the location and/ordirection of movement of the object.

At block B554, the time coordinates for a local maximum and a localminimum of the first output signal are calculated, and at block B556 thetime coordinates for a local maximum and a local minimum of the secondoutput signal are calculated. At block B558, the spacing between thelocal maximum of the first output signal and the local maximum of thesecond output signal is calculated, and the spacing between the localminimum of the first output signal and the local minimum of the secondoutput signal is calculated. At block B560, the spacings calculated atblock B558 are compared with a threshold value, if any of the spacingsis less than the threshold value, then at block B562 it is determinedthat the moving object is likely to be a motor vehicle. If, however,none of the spacings is less than the threshold value, then at blockB564 it is determined that the moving object is likely not to be a motorvehicle. At any of blocks B554-B564, the microcontroller 163 may performany or all of the steps of calculating, comparing, and/or determining.

The foregoing process advantageously filters out signals from the PIRsensors 144 that are likely to have been caused by a vehicle. Thisprocess thus advantageously results in fewer alert signals being sent tothe user, thereby reducing the frequency of false positive alerts.

In another embodiment of a process for filtering out motion of vehicles,the magnitude of the output signal from one or more of the PIR sensors144 may be compared to a threshold value to determine if the outputsignal is likely to be indicative of a motor vehicle. As describedabove, motor vehicles generally move more quickly than pedestrians, andfaster moving objects generally produce output signals of greatermagnitude from motion sensors, as compared to slower moving objects.Thus, if the magnitude of a given output signal from one or more of thePIR sensors 144 is greater than the threshold value, it can bedetermined that the moving object is likely to be a motor vehicle. Suchoutput signals can be filtered out to reduce the number of falsepositive alerts to the user's client device 114.

In certain embodiments, the magnitude of the output signal from one ormore of the PIR sensors 144 may be used as a check on the process ofFIG. 20, and vice versa. For example, if it is determined that any ofthe spacings between local maxima and minima is less than a thresholdvalue, which is indicative of vehicle motion, then it may also bedetermined whether the magnitude of the output signal from the PIRsensors 144 is greater than a threshold value, which it should be if thePIR sensors 144 are in fact detecting vehicle motion. Conversely, if itis determined that the magnitude of the output signal from the PIRsensors 144 is greater than a threshold value, which is indicative ofvehicle motion, then it may also be determined whether any of thespacings between local maxima and minima is less than a threshold value,which it should be if the PIR sensors 144 are in fact detecting vehiclemotion. If, in either case, the determinations (spacings vs. magnitudeof output signal) contradict one another, the process may loop back andrepeat one or more steps before making a final determination whether thePIR sensors 144 are detecting vehicle motion.

Sunlight Filter

FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a process for reducing false positive signalsthat might be generated by direct sunlight impinging on the PIR sensors144, according to the present embodiments. Direct sunlight impinging onthe PIR sensors 144 can generate a false positive detection of movement,because the PIR sensors 144 are sensitive to heat signatures of objects,and the radiative heat of direct sunlight can be falsely interpreted bythe PIR sensors 144 to be an object within the field of view of the PIRsensors 144. This effect of sunlight on the PIR sensors 144 can beespecially problematic when the sunlight falling on the PIR sensors 144is intermittent, as can happen when the PIR sensors 144 are in the shadeof a tree or another type of object that tends to sway in the wind. Thepresent embodiments are configured to filter out these types of falsepositives.

With reference to FIG. 21, one embodiment of a sunlight filter uses therate of change of the output signal from the PIR sensors 144 todetermine whether it is likely that the output signal is result ofdirect sunlight falling on the PIR sensors 144. Direct sunlight fallingon the PIR sensors 144 tends to produce output signals that changerapidly, especially when the sunlight falling on the PIR sensors 144 isintermittent, because of the rapid changes in temperature that can occurwhen the PIR sensors 144 are alternately receiving direct sun and shade.Thus, the present embodiment calculates the rate of change (representedby “Δ” in FIG. 21) of the output signal 570 from the PIR sensors 144 bycalculating the difference in the magnitude of the output signal 570 ata first sampling interval 572 and at a second sampling interval 574. Thecalculated rate of change is then compared to a threshold value, and ifthe rate of change is greater than the threshold value, it is determinedthat the signal is likely caused by intermittent direct sunlight.

In FIG. 21, the first and second sampling intervals 572, 574 areillustrated as being consecutive, but in certain embodiments they maynot be consecutive. Further, for simplicity and clarity, only one outputsignal 570 is shown in FIG. 21, even though each of the three PIRsensors 144 may produce a separate output signal.

FIG. 22 illustrates the foregoing process in further detail. At blockB580, the PIR sensors 144 gather information from the area in the fieldof view of the doorbell 130 and generate an output signal 570 (FIG. 21).Then, at block B582, at a first sampling interval 572 (FIG. 21), themicrocontroller 163 samples and analyzes the information from the PIRsensors 144 and calculates the magnitude of the output signal 570 duringthe first sampling interval 572. Then, at block B584, at a secondsampling interval 574 (FIG. 21), the microcontroller 163 samples andanalyzes the information from the PIR sensors 144 and calculates themagnitude of the output signal 570 during the second sampling isinterval 574. At block B586, microcontroller 163 calculates thedifference between the magnitudes of the output signal 570 during thefirst and second sampling intervals 572, 574. At block B588, thedifference calculated at block B586 is compared with a threshold value.If the difference is greater than the threshold value, then at blockB590 it is determined that the PIR sensors 144 are likely exposed tointermittent direct sunlight. If, however, the difference is not greaterthan the threshold value, then at block B592 it is determined that thePIR sensors 144 are likely not exposed to intermittent direct sunlight.

The foregoing process advantageously filters out signals from the PIRsensors 144 that are likely to have been caused by intermittent directsunlight. This process thus advantageously results in fewer alertsignals being sent to the user, thereby reducing the frequency of falsepositive alerts.

With reference to FIG. 23, another embodiment of a sunlight filter usesthe peak magnitude 600 of the output signal 602 from the PIR sensors 144to determine whether it is likely that the output signal 602 is theresult of direct sunlight falling on the PIR sensor 144. Direct sunlightfalling on the PIR sensors 144 tends to produce output signals havinglarge magnitudes, especially when the sunlight falling on the PIRsensors 144 is intermittent, because of the rapid changes in temperaturethat can occur when the PIR sensors 144 are alternately receiving directsun and shade. Thus, in the present embodiment the microcontroller 163samples the output signal 602 over multiple sampling intervals 604 andcalculates the peak magnitude 600 of the output signal 602 during thosesampling intervals 604. The calculated peak magnitude 600 is thencompared to a threshold value, and if the peak magnitude 600 is greaterthan the threshold value, it is determined that the signal is likelycaused by intermittent direct sunlight. In FIG. 23, for simplicity andclarity, only one output signal 602 is shown, even though each of thethree PIR sensors 144 may produce a separate output signal.

FIG. 24 illustrates the foregoing process in further detail. At blockB610, the PIR sensors 144 gather information from the area in the fieldof view of the doorbell 130 and generate an output signal 602 (FIG. 23).Then, at block B612, the microcontroller 163 samples the output signal602 over multiple sampling intervals 604 and analyzes the information inthe output signal 602 at each sampling interval 604. Then, at blockB614, the microcontroller 163 determines the peak magnitude 600 of theoutput signal 602 over the multiple sampling intervals 604. At blockB616, the peak magnitude 600 of the output signal 602 is compared with athreshold value. If the peak magnitude 600 is greater than the thresholdvalue, then at block B618 it is determined that the PIR sensors 144 arelikely exposed to intermittent direct sunlight. If, however, the peakmagnitude 600 is not greater than the threshold value, then at blockB620 it is determined that the PIR sensors 144 are likely not exposed tointermittent direct sunlight.

The foregoing process advantageously filters out signals from the PIRsensors 144 that are likely to have been caused by intermittent directsunlight. This process thus advantageously results in fewer alertsignals being sent to the user thereby reducing the frequency of falsepositive alerts.

In certain embodiments, the processes of FIGS. 22 and 24 may be combinedin order to increase the accuracy of the determination of whether thePIR sensors 144 are exposed to intermittent direct sunlight. Forexample, if it is determined that the rate of change of the outputsignal from the PIR sensors 144 is greater than a threshold value, whichis indicative of the PIR sensors 144 being exposed to intermittentdirect sunlight, then it may also be determined whether the magnitude ofthe output signal from the PIR sensors 144 is also greater than athreshold value, which it should be if the PIR sensors 144 are in thatexposed to intermittent direct sunlight. Conversely, if it is determinedthat the magnitude of the output signal from the PIR sensors 144 isgreater than a threshold value, which is indicative of the PIR sensors144 being exposed to intermittent direct sunlight, then it may also bedetermined whether the rate of change of the output signal from the PIRsensors 144 is also greater than a threshold value, which it should beif the PIR sensors 144 are in fact exposed to intermittent directsunlight. If, in either case, the determinations (rate of change ofoutput signal vs. magnitude of output signal) contradict one another,the process may loop back and repeat one or more steps before making afinal determination whether the PIR sensors 144 are exposed tointermittent direct sunlight.

Temperature Filter

FIG. 25 illustrates a process for reducing false positive signals thatmight be generated by rapid temperature changes within the doorbell 130,according to the present embodiments. In cold climates, the temperaturewithin the doorbell 130 may change rapidly when one or more componentsof the doorbell 130 transition from a low-power state to an activestate, and/or when one or more components of the doorbell 130 transitionfrom a powered-off state to a powered-on state. This effect results fromthe fact that many of the component of the doorbell 130 generate theirown heat when they are in an active state or a powered-on state. Theheat generated by these components can cause a rapid temperature changewithin the doorbell 130 when the doorbell 130 is located in a regionwhere the ambient temperature is cold. Such a rapid temperature changecan cause the PIR sensors 144 to become unstable, which can result inunpredictable signal outputs from the PIR sensors 144. The process ofFIG. 25 filters out the signal outputs from the PIR sensors 144 thatoccur during periods of rapid temperature change within the doorbell130, thereby advantageously reducing the frequency of false positivealerts.

With reference to FIG. 25, at block B630 a temperature change withinand/or near the doorbell 130 during an interval is measured. Thetemperature change may be measured with one or more temperature sensors,such as a temperature sensor (not shown) associated with the battery166, and/or the temperature sensor 153 of the bracket PCB 149. Then, atblock B632, the rate of temperature change during the measured intervalis calculated. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 163 maycalculate the rate of temperature change. Then, at block B634, thecalculated rate of temperature change is compared with a thresholdvalue. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 163 may make thecomparison. In one non-limiting example, the threshold value used in thecomparison may be 1° C./min. If the calculated rate of temperaturechange is greater than the threshold value, then at block B636, anyoutput signals from the PIR sensors 144 that occurred during themeasured interval are ignored because they are likely to be unreliable.If, however, the calculated rate of temperature change is not greaterthan the threshold value, then at block B638 any output signals from thePIR sensors 144 that occurred during the measured interval are notignored.

The foregoing process advantageously filters out signals from the PIRsensors 144 that are likely to be unreliable because they occurredduring periods of rapid temperature change within the doorbell 130 whenthe PIR sensors 144 may have been unstable. This process thusadvantageously results in fewer alert signals being sent to the user,thereby reducing the frequency of false positive alerts.

Visitor Approaching Vs. Visitor Departing

Another aspect of the present embodiments includes the realization thatunwanted alert signals may be generated by an A/V recording andcommunication device, such as a doorbell, when a home occupant walks outthe front door. As further described below, processes according to thepresent embodiments solve this problem by determining whether a movingobject is moving toward or away from the doorbell (or other A/Vrecording and communication device), and generating alerts only in thoseinstances when it is determined that the moving object is moving towardthe doorbell, thereby reducing the frequency of unwanted alerts to theuser.

FIG. 26 illustrates a process for determining whether a visitor withinthe field of view of the doorbell 130 is moving toward or away from thedoorbell 130, according to the present embodiments. Generally, if avisitor is moving toward the doorbell 130, the magnitude of the outputsignal generated by the PIR sensors 144 increase as the visitor movescloser and closer to the doorbell 130. Conversely, if a visitor ismoving away from the doorbell 130, the magnitude of the output signalgenerated by the sensors 144 will decrease as the visitor moves fartherand farther away from the doorbell 130. Determining whether a visitor ismoving toward or away from the doorbell 130 can reduce unwanted alertsignals to the user. For example, a user may not want to receive analert when a home occupant walks out the front door. Thus, if it can bedetermined that a moving object is moving away from the doorbell 130,then an alert may not be generated in those instances, thereby reducingthe frequency of unwanted alerts to the user.

With reference to FIG. 26, at block B650, one or more of the PIR sensors144 detects a moving object within the field of view of the doorbell 130and generates an output signal. At block B652, the microcontroller 163samples the output signal over a plurality of sampling intervals andanalyzes the information in each of the samples. The number of samplingintervals may be a preset number, or may be whatever number of samplesis needed to make a positive determination that there is motion withinthe field of view of the doorbell. At block B654, the microcontroller163 calculates the magnitude of the output signal during each of thesampling intervals. Then, at block B656, the microcontroller 163determines if the magnitude of the output signal is increasing ordecreasing over the course of the sampling intervals. If the magnitudeof the output signal is increasing, then, at block B660, themicrocontroller 163 determines that the moving object is moving towardthe doorbell 130. If however, the magnitude of the output signal isdecreasing, then, at block B660, the microcontroller 143 determines thatthe moving object is moving away from the doorbell 130. While not shownin FIG. 26, if it is determined that the moving object is moving awayfrom the doorbell 130, in some embodiments the doorbell 130 may notgenerate an alert for the user.

FIG. 27 illustrates another process for determining whether a visitorwithin the field of view of the doorbell 130 is moving toward or awayfrom the doorbell 130, according to the present embodiments. Generally,if a visitor is moving toward the doorbell 130, the number of the PIRsensors 144 that detect the visitor will increase over time as thevisitor moves closer and closer to the doorbell 130. Conversely, if avisitor is moving away from the doorbell 130, the number of the PIRsensors 144 that detect the visitor will decrease over time as thevisitor moves farther and farther away from the doorbell 130. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 11, a visitor approaching from justoutside one of the Zones 1-5 will first be detected by just one of thePIR sensors 144-1, 144-2, 144-3, but by the time the visitor reaches thedoorbell 130 he or she will be detected by all three of the PIR sensors144-1, 144-2, 144-3. Conversely, if a visitor begins from a point veryclose to the doorbell 130 and moves away from the doorbell 130, he orshe will first be detected by all three of the PIR sensors 144-1, 144-2,144-3, and then by fewer and fewer of the PIR sensors 144-1, 144-2,144-3 as he or she moves farther and farther away. Determining whether avisitor is moving toward or away from the doorbell 130 can reduceunwanted alert signals to the user. For example, a user may not want toreceive an alert when a home occupant walks out the front door. Thus, ifit can be determined that a moving object is moving away from thedoorbell 130, then an alert may not be generated in those instances,thereby reducing the frequency of unwanted alerts to the user.

With reference to FIG. 27, at block B670, at least one of the PIRsensors 144 detects, at a first time, a moving object within the fieldof view of the doorbell 130 and generates an output signal. At blockB672, at least one of the PIR sensors 144 detects, at a second time, themoving object within the field of view of the doorbell 130, andgenerates an output signal. At block B674, the microcontroller 163determines whether the number of PIR sensors 144 that detected themoving object at the first time is greater than or less than the numberof PIR sensors 144 that detected the moving object at the second time.If the number of PIR sensors 144 that detected the moving object at tofirst time is greater than the number of PIR sensors 144 that detectedthe moving object at the second time, then, at block B676, themicrocontroller 163 determines that the moving object is moving awayfrom the doorbell 130. If, however, the number of PIR sensors 144 thatdetected the moving object at the first time is less than the number ofPIR sensors 144 that detected the moving object at the second time,then, at block B678, the microcontroller 163 determines that the movingobject is moving toward the doorbell 130. While not shown in FIG. 27, ifit is determined that the moving object is moving away front thedoorbell 130, in some embodiments the doorbell 130 may not generate analert for the user.

In certain embodiments, the processes of FIGS. 26 and 27 may be combinedin order to increase the accuracy of the determination of whether themoving object is moving toward or away from the doorbell 130. Forexample, if it is determined that the magnitude of the output signalfrom the PIR sensors 144 is increasing, which is indicative of themoving object moving toward the doorbell 130, then it may also bedetermined whether the number of the PIR sensors 144 that detect themoving object is increasing, which it should be if the moving object infact moving toward the doorbell 130. Conversely, if it is determinedthat the number of the PIR sensors 144 that detect the moving object isincreasing, which is indicative of the moving object moving toward thedoorbell 130, then it may also be determined whether the magnitude ofthe output signal from the PIR sensors 144 is increasing, which itshould be if the moving object is in fact moving toward the doorbell130. If, in either case, the determinations (magnitude of output signalvs. number of PIR sensors) contradict one another, the process may loopback and repeat one or more steps before making a final determinationwhether the moving object is moving toward or away from the doorbell130.

FIG. 28 illustrates three different thresholds that may be used in oneor more motion detection algorithms, according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure. One threshold, which is labeled Sample_Th in FIG. 28and represented by the lower dashed line 690, is a minimum magnitudethat an output signal from the PIR sensors 144 must measure in order tobe considered in any of the motion detection algorithms of the presentembodiments. In other words, the present motion detection algorithms mayignore any output signals from the PIR sensors 144 that are below theSample_Th threshold.

Another threshold, which is labeled Motion_Sample_Th in FIG. 28 andrepresented by the upper dashed line 692, is a minimum magnitude that anoutput signal from the PIR sensors 144 must measure in order to beconsidered indicative of motion. In other words, output signals from thePIR sensors 144 that are above the Sample_Th threshold, but below theMotion_Sample_Th threshold, are considered by the motion detectionalgorithms of the present embodiments to be not necessarily indicativeof motion, whereas output signals from the PIR sensors 144 that areabove the Motion_Sample_Th threshold are considered by the motiondetection algorithms of the present embodiments to be indicative ofmotion.

Another threshold, which is labeled Motion_Detect_Th in FIG. 28 andrepresented by the bracket 694, is a minimum number of samplingintervals 696 of the output signal from the PIR sensors 144 in a givenwindow of time that must be indicative of motion in order to determinethat motion is actually present in the field of view of the doorbell130. For example, if a time window of 2 seconds is considered, and ifthe value of Motion_Detect_Th is set to 12, then the microcontroller 163will generate a motion alert if at least 12 sampling intervals 696during the 2 second window are above the Motion_Sample_Th threshold. Insome embodiments, the value of Motion_Detect_Th may be preset.

In certain embodiments, samples of the output signal from the PIRsensors 144 that fall between the Sample_Th threshold and theMotion_Sample_Th threshold may be considered in determining whethermotion is actually happening in the field of view of the doorbell 130.For example, some moving objects, such as objects that are moving veryslowly, may only generate output signals from the PIR sensors 144 thatare above the Motion_Sample_Th threshold for a short time. If theseoutput signals remain above the Motion_Sample_Th threshold for such ashort time that not enough samples can be taken to meet theMotion_Detect_Th threshold, then the output signals above theMotion_Sample_Th threshold may not be counted as actual motion, eventhough motion is actually happening in the field of view of the doorbell130. In such situations, some of the present embodiments may considerthe output signals from the PIR sensors 144 that fall between theSample_Th threshold and the Motion_Sample_Th threshold in determiningwhether motion is actually happening in the field of view of thedoorbell 130.

The present embodiments have been described with reference to thedoorbell 130 illustrated in FIGS. 2-12. It should be understood,however, that the present embodiments are equally applicable to any A/Vrecording, and communication device that is capable of recording videofootage and/or audio and transmitting the recorded video footage and/oraudio via a wireless and/or wired connection. In certain embodiments,for example, the A/V recording and communication device may not be adoorbell, but may be, for example, a wireless A/V recording andcommunication security camera. An example A/V recording andcommunication security camera may include substantially all of thestructure and functionality of the doorbell 130, but without the frontbutton 133, the button actuator, and/or the light pipe 136. An exampleA/V recording and communication security camera may further omit othercomponents, such as, for example, the bracket PCB 149 and itscomponents.

FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram of a client device 850 on whichthe present embodiments may be implemented according to various aspectsof the present disclosure. The user's client device 114 described withreference to FIG. 1 may include some or all of the components and/orfunctionality of the client device 850. The client device 850 maycomprise, for example, a smartphone.

With reference to FIG. 29, the client device 850 includes a processor852, a memory 854, a user interface 856, a communication module 858, anda dataport 860. These components are communicatively coupled together byan interconnect bus 862. The processor 852 may include any processorused in smartphones and/or portable computing devices, such as an ARMprocessor (a processor based on the RISC (reduced instruction setcomputer) architecture developed by Advanced RISC Machines (ARM)). Insome embodiments, the processor 852 may include one or more otherprocessors, such as one or more conventional microprocessors, and/or oneor more supplementary co-processors such as math co-processors.

The memory 854 may include both operating memory, such as random accessmemory (RAM), as well as data storage, such as read-only memory (ROM),hard drives, flash memory, or any other suitable memory/storage element.The memory 854 may include removable memory elements, such as aCompactFlash card, a MultiMediaCard (MMC), and/or a Secure Digital (SD)card. In some embodiments, the memory 854 may comprise a combination ofmagnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory, and may include, forexample, RAM, ROM, flash drive, and/or a hard disk or drive. Theprocessor 852 and the memory 854 each may be, for example, locatedentirely within a single device, or may be connected to each other by acommunication medium, such as a USB port, a serial port cable, a coaxialcable, an Ethernet-type cable, a telephone line, a radio frequencytransceiver, or other similar wireless or wired medium or combination ofthe foregoing. For example, the processor 852 may be connected to thememory 854 via the dataport 860.

The user interface 856 may include any user interface or presentationelements suitable for a smartphone and/or a portable computing device,such as a keypad, a display screen, a touchscreen, a microphone, and aspeaker. The communication module 858 is configured to handlecommunication links between the client device 850 and other, externaldevices or receivers, and to route incoming/outgoing data appropriately.For example, inbound data from the dataport 860 may be routed throughthe communication module 858 before being directed to the processor 852,and outbound data from the processor 852 may be routed through thecommunication module 858 before being directed to the dataport 860. Thecommunication module 858 may include one or more transceiver modulescapable of transmitting and receiving data, and using, for example, oneor more protocols and/or technologies, such as GSM, UMTS (3GSM), IS-95(CDMA one), IS-2000 (CDMA 2000), LTE, FDMA, TDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA, OFDMA,WiMAX, or any other protocol and/or technology.

The dataport 860 may be any type of connector used for physicallyinterfacing with a smartphone and/or a portable computing device, suchas a mini-USB port or an IPHONE®/IPOD® 30-pin connector or LIGHTNING®connector. In other embodiments, the dataport 860 may include multiplecommunication channels for simultaneous communication with, for example,other processors, servers, and/or client terminals.

The memory 854 may store instructions for communicating with othersystems, such as a computer. The memory 854 may store, for example, aprogram (e.g., computer program code) adapted to direct the processor852 in accordance with the present embodiments. The instructions alsomay include program elements, such as an operating system. Whileexecution of sequences of instructions in the program causes theprocessor 852 to perform the process steps described herein, hard wiredcircuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with,software/firmware instructions for implementation of the processes ofthe present embodiments. Thus, the present embodiments are not limitedto any specific combination of hardware and software.

FIG. 30 is a functional block diagram of a general-purpose computingsystem on which the present embodiments may be implemented according tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. The computer system 900 mayexecute at least some of the operations described above. The computersystem 900 may be embodied in at least one of a personal computer (alsoreferred to as a desktop computer) 900A, a portable computer (alsoreferred to as a laptop or notebook computer) 900B, and/or a server900C. A server is a computer program and/or a machine that waits forrequests from other machines or software (clients) and responds to them.A server typically processes data. The purpose of a server is to sharedata and/or hardware and/or software resources among clients. Thisarchitecture is called the client-server model. The clients may run onthe same computer or may connect to the server over a network. Examplesof computing servers include database servers, file servers, mailservers, print servers, web servers, game servers, and applicationservers. The term server may be construed broadly to include anycomputerized process that shares a resource to one or more clientprocesses.

The computer system 900 may include at least one processor 910, memory920, at least one storage device 930, and input/output (I/O) devices940. Some or all of the components 910, 920, 930, 940 may beinterconnected via a system bus 950. The processor 910 may be single- ormulti-threaded and may have one or more cores. The processor 910 mayexecute instructions, such as those stored in the memory 920 and/or inthe storage device 930. Information may be received and output using oneor more I/O devices 940.

The memory 920 may store information, and may be a computer-readablemedium, such as volatile or non-volatile memory. The storage device(s)930 may provide storage for the system 900, and may be acomputer-readable medium. In various aspects, the storage device(s) 930may be a flash memory device, a hard disk device, an optical diskdevice, a tape device, or any other type of storage device.

The I/O devices 940 may provide input/output operations for the system900. The I/O devices 940 may include a keyboard, a pointing device,and/or a microphone. The I/O devices 940 may further include a displayunit for displaying graphical user interfaces, a speaker, and/or aprinter. External data may be stored in one or more accessible externaldatabases 960.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in digital electronic circuitry, and/or in computerhardware, firmware, software, and/or in combinations thereof. Featuresof the present embodiments may be implemented in a computer programproduct tangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as amachine-readable storage device, and/or in a propagated signal, forexecution by a programmable processor. Embodiments of the present methodsteps may be performed by a programmable processor executing a programof instructions to perform functions of the described implementations byoperating on input data and generating output.

The features of the present embodiments described herein may beimplemented in one or more computer programs that are executable on aprogrammable system including at least one programmable processorcoupled to receive data and/or instructions from, and to transmit dataand/or instructions to, a data storage system, at least one inputdevice, and at least one output device. A computer program may include aset of instructions that may be used, directly or indirectly, in acomputer to perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result.A computer program may be written in any form of programming language,including compiled or interpreted languages, and it may be deployed inany form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Suitable processors for the execution of a program of instructions mayinclude, for example, both general and special purpose processors,and/or the sole processor or one of multiple processors of any kind ofcomputer. Generally, a processor may receive instructions and/or datafrom a read only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), or both.Such a computer may include a processor for executing instructions andone or more memories for storing instructions and/or data.

Generally, a computer may also include, or be operatively coupled tocommunicate with, one or more mass storage devices for storing datafiles. Such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disksand/or removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and/or optical disks.Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and/or data may include all forms of non-volatile memory,including for example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM,EEPROM, and flash memory devices, magnetic disks such as internal harddisks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROMdisks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, orincorporated in, one or more ASICs (application-specific integratedcircuits).

To provide for interaction with a user, the features of the presentembodiments may be implemented on a computer having a display device,such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displayinginformation to the user. The computer may further include a keyboard, apointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, and/or a touchscreen bywhich the user may provide input to the computer.

The features of the present embodiments may be implemented in a computersystem that includes a back-end component, such as a data server, and/orthat includes a middleware component, such as an application server oran Internet server, and/or that includes a front-end component, such asa client computer having a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or anInternet browser, or any combination of these. The components of thesystem may be connected by any form or medium of digital datacommunication, such as a communication network. Examples ofcommunication networks may include, for example, a LAN (local areanetwork), a WAN (wide area network), and/or the computers and networksforming the Internet.

The computer system may include clients and servers. A client and servermay be remote from each other and interact through a network, such asthose described herein. The relationship of client and server may ariseby virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers andhaving a client-server relationship to each other.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present embodiments, and of the manner and process of practicingthem, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which they pertain to practice theseembodiments. The present embodiments are, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from those discussed abovethat are fully equivalent. Consequently, the present invention is notlimited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, thepresent invention covers all modifications and alternate constructionscoming within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Forexample, the steps in the processes described herein need not beperformed in the same order as they have been presented, and may beperformed in any order(s). Further, steps that have been presented asbeing performed separately may in alternative embodiments be performedconcurrently. Likewise, steps that have been presented as beingperformed concurrently may in alternative embodiments be performedseparately.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for an audio/video (A/V) recording andcommunication device including a processor, a motion sensor, and atemperature sensor, the method comprising: measuring, by the temperaturesensor, temperature during an interval; calculating, by the processor, arate of change in the temperature during the interval; comparing, by theprocessor, the rate of change in the temperature during the interval toa threshold value; and ignoring, by the processor, any signals from themotion sensor that were generated during the interval when the rate ofchange in the temperature during the interval is greater than thethreshold value.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the motion sensorcomprises at least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the A/V recording and communication device comprisesone of a doorbell or a security camera.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the A/V recording and communication device further includes abattery, and wherein the measuring the temperature during the intervalcomprises measuring the temperature of the battery of the A/V recordingand communication device during the interval.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the threshold value comprises 1° C./min.
 6. An audio/video (A/V)recording and communication device, comprising: a processor; a motionsensor; a temperature sensor; and a computer-readable medium storinginstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto perform operations comprising: measuring, by the temperature sensor,temperature during an interval; calculating, by the processor, a rate ofchange in the temperature during the interval; comparing, by theprocessor, the rate of change in the temperature during the interval toa threshold value; and ignoring, by the processor, signals from themotion sensor generated during the interval when the rate of change inthe temperature during the interval is greater than the threshold value.7. The A/V recording and communication device of claim 6, wherein themotion sensor comprises at least one passive infrared (PIR) sensor. 8.The A/V recording and communication device of claim 6, wherein the A/Vrecording and communication device comprises one of a doorbell or asecurity camera.
 9. The A/V recording and communication device of claim6, further comprising a battery, and wherein the measuring thetemperature during the interval comprises measuring the temperature ofthe battery of the A/V recording and communication device during theinterval.
 10. The A/V recording and communication device of claim 6,wherein the threshold value comprises 1° C./min.